Connecting device



1957 J. c. KARLSON 7 2,808,575

' CONNECTING DEVICE Filed Au 10. 1953 JOHN CHARLES mAzso/v "unf Y DAM/amATTORNEY United States Patent CONNECTING DEVICE John C. Karlson,Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, Teterboro, N.L, a corporation of Delaware Application August 10, 1953, Serial No.373,334

4 Claims. (Cl. 339-92) This invention relates generally to plug andsocket connectors and more particularly to the connection anddisconnection of plug and socket connectors.

In the present tendency to miniaturize the signal generating andamplifying components of automatic control systems, these components arefrequently mounted in a single container or sub-assembly so that theymay be readily removed for replacement or repair. These components mayrequire a large number of conductors in a small allotment of space. As aresult, difficulties arise in the alignment, connection anddisconnection of the connectors.

Plug and socket connectors are frequently used; the socket being carriedby the chassis, and the plug carried by the component. The plug may havea number of prongs. Since these prongs tend to cling or freeze to thesocket, \care must be used in the alignment and insertion of the prongsinto the socket; and a great deal of force is required to remove theprongs from the socket. An excessive rocking motion or pressure mayresult in a distortion of the prongs thereby breaking or bending themand destroying the prongs or sockets. These difficulties are enhanced bythe component being in confiement with other components.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a novelapparatus for connecting and disconnecting plug and socket connectors.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a novel arrangementon a chassis whereby a container holding one unit of a plug and socketconnector may be placed in a stanchion or support to align the unit withits complementary unit and by operation of a further member cooperatingwith the stanchion or support insert the first unit into the second unitto complete the connector or remove the first unit from the second unitto disconnect the connector.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention willappear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detaileddescription which follows, taken together with the acompanying drawingwherein one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way ofexample. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing isfor the purpose of illustration and description only, and is notintended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawing wherein like parts are marked alike:

Fig. 1 illustrates the present invention in operative association withthe chassis of an amplifier and signal generator for a control system;

Fig. 2 shows the support arrangement of the invention shown in Fig. 1;and

Fig. 3 shows a plug, container, relay assembly and force supplying unitof Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 1 for a more detailed description, the presentinvention is comprised generally of a framework or support 10, acontainer 12, and a force supplying unit 14.

Patented Oct. 1, 1957 The framework 10, Fig. 2, provides a support forthe container 12, as shown in Fig. 1, and is comprised generally of aseat 15 and two upstanding bars or arms 16 and 18. These bars haveapertures 20 at their upper ends, are fixed to seat 15, and constitutestanchions for the force supplying unit 14. Seat 15 has an aperture 26in which the plug end of cannister 12 fits and may be provided with twoother apertures 28 in which suitable means such as bolts or screws maypass to secure the framework or support 10 to the chassis.

The container 12, Fig. 3, may be a casing 30 having at one end plugconnections 32 and at the other end force supplying unit 14.

Projecting from plug 32 is a plurality of prongs 33 for insertion incooperating sockets in the chassis. In the present embodiment, casing 30houses a series of relays 34 which are connected by wires 35 to theprongs 33.

The force supplying unit is comprised generally of a jack screw 40, abracket 41, and a bar or bridge member 42. Bracket 41 is secured tocasing 30 by suitable means such bolts 4-5, and screw is rotatabiyjournalled in the bracket. Bar 42 is threaded on screw 40 and has slots44 which cooperate with the upper walls formed by the apertures 20 inuprights 16 and 18.

The aligning and connecting operations of the invention will now beapparent. By way of suitable screws in aperture 28, framework 10 isfixed to the amplifier chassis so that aperture 26 centers the connectorsockets in the chassis. To connect plug 32 with the socket, bar 42 isthreaded downwardly on screw 40 until the bar engages bracket 41.Container 12 is slipped between uprights 16 and 18 of the support 10;these uprights bearing against the container 12 support the same thereinand aiign the prongs and sockets. The uprights are biased apart and bar42 inserted in apertures 20. When the biasing force is released uprights16 and 18 return to their original position and engage bar 42. Rotationof screw 40 threads the screw into bar 42 moving container 12 downwardlyand inserting prongs 52 into their complementary sockets. The reactionforces the upper side walls of apertures 29 into slots 44.

Additional force applied by way of screw 49 after plug 32 has beenseated in aperture 26 wil bow bar 14 slightly. This distorts the threadsin the bar which engage screw 40 so that vibration will not loosen theconnection.

To remove the container for repair or replacement, the above operationsare merely reversed. Screw 49 is threaded upwardly within the support 10in bar 42, pulling container 12 upwardly and removing prongs 33 fromtheir socket. When the prongs clear the socket, uprights 16 and 18 ofthe support 10 may be biased outwardly and bar 42 removed from slotThus, container 12 is freed from the support and may be removed withoutinjury to prongs 33.

The foregoing has presented a novel apparatus for supporting aligning,connecting, and disconnecting plug and socket connections of the type ina plug bar, a plurality of prongs and the socket a piurality ofcomplementary apertures. Although the apparatus is simple in structureand function, the connection is securely locked against shocks andvibration.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the inventionis not limited thereto. Various changes can be made in the design andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in theart.

I claim:

1. A coupler for engaging and disengaging an element having one unit ofa plug and socket connection from 3 a chassis having the other unit,comprising a support for said element, said support mounted on saidchassis and including a seat having two spaced members projecting fromsaid seat at opposite sides thereof for engaging 'said element betweensaid spaced members whereby said plug and socket units are aligned, ascrew rotatably mounted on said element, and a bar threaded on saidscrew, said bar being engageable with said members whereby selectiverotation of said screw causes relative movement of said element andchassis to connect and disconnect said plug and socket units.

2. A coupler for engaging and disengaging an element having one unit ofa plug and socket connection from a chassis subject to shock andvibration and having the other unit, comprising a support for saidelement, said support adapted to be fixed to said chassis and includinga seat having two spaced arms projecting from said seat at oppositesides thereof for engaging said element between said spaced memberswhereby said plug and socket units may be aligned, a screw journalled onsaid element, and a bridge member threaded on said screw and havingslots therein, said arms having apertures therein for engaging saidbridge and being laterally yieldable whereby said tZlIIllS may be spreadso that said bridge member may enter said apertures, and whereby saidslots engage said arms as said screw is rotated and said element ismoved relative to said chassis to engage and disengage said plug andsocket units, said bridge member being deformable under the thrust loadof said screw to lock said units against shock and vibration.

3. A coupler for engaging and disengaging an element having one unit ofa plug and socket connection from a chassis having the other unit,comprising a support for said element, said support mounted on saidchassis and including a seat having two spaced members for aligning oneunit with the other, said spaced members being arranged at oppositesides of said element, a screw rotatably mounted on said element, and abar threaded on said screw, said members having apertures therein andbeing flexible so that said members may be biased and said bar engagedWithin said apertures whereby selective rotation of said screw causesrelative movement of said element and chassis to connect and disconnectsaid plug and socket units.

4. A coupler for engaging and disengaging an element having one unit ofa plug and socket connection from a chassis subject to vibration havingthe other unit, comprising a support for said element, said supportmounted on said chassis and including a seat having two upright armsextending at opposite sides of said element and so arranged as to alignthe one unit of the element with the other unit of the chassis, a screwrotatably mounted on said element, a member having a threaded aperturetherein for threadedly receiving said screw, engaging means on saidarms, said member cooperating with said engaging means for bridging saidarms whereby said plug and socket units may be engaged and disengaged byrotating said screw, said member being flexible so as to bow slightlyunder continued rotation of said screw after said units are engagedwhereby the threaded aperture receiving said screw is distorted so thatvibration will not loosen the connection.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 66,170Patterson June 25, 1867 1,631,288 Potter June 7, 1927 1,722,816 MeunierJuly 20, 1929 2,457,119 Bour Dec. 28, 1948 2,637,763 Palmer May 5, 19532,673,334 Julian Mar. 23, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 658,628 Great BritainOct. 10, 1951

